The Jangal and Bolshevik break: The conflict of ideology and pragmatism (1917-1921)

Kalantari, Kambiz; Sakha, Javad; Khajehyar, Rafat; Mohammadi, Masood

doi:10.30466/jhf.2025.56350.1042

The Jangal and Bolshevik break: The conflict of ideology and pragmatism (1917-1921)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of History, AB.C., Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran. 6159716964@iua.ac.ir

² * Department of History, AB.C., Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran. (Corresponding author) 0385099258@iua.ac.ir

³ Department of History, AB.C., Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran. 0385099258@iua.ac.ir

⁴ Department of History, Farhangian University, Qazvin, Iran. 4410236751@cfu.ac.ir

10.30466/jhf.2025.56350.1042

Abstract

The Jangal (Jungle) Movement, led by Mirza Kuchak Khan, was formed with the ideal of establishing an "Islamic Democratic Republic" based on a combination of Iranian nationalism and Islamic values. Under pressure from the Qajar, Pahlavi, and British forces, the movement approached the Bolsheviks for survival. The occupation of Anzali by Soviet forces in Ordibehesht 1299 (May 1920) was the beginning of forced cooperation. In the initial negotiations, Mirza Kuchak Khan emphasized maintaining the independence of the movement and refused to fully accept communism. The formation of the Communist Party of Iran and its anti-religious policies deepened the rift with the movement. The Baku Congress in September 1920 showed that the Soviets were seeking to use the movements as a tool to advance their goals. The change in Soviet policy in 1921 and the priority of geopolitical interests over revolutionary ideology were considered a turning point. The signing of the 1921 Iran-Soviet agreement meant the cessation of support for the Gilan Republic. The exile of Ehsanollah Khan and the surrender of Khalo Ghorban dealt the final blow to the movement. The death of Mirza Kuchak Khan in the snows of Gilan (December 1921) was the tragic end of this movement. The defeat of the Jangal Movement showed that imported revolutions were incompatible with the cultural fabric of Iran. The Soviets learned that in order to influence Iran, they had to exploit national sentiments. This event became a prelude to subsequent Soviet interventions in Azerbaijan and Kurdistan. Moscow's transition from idealism to realism sacrificed the Jangal Movement. The final collapse was the result of the conflict between communist ideology and the indigenous anti-colonial discourse. The Gilan experience proved that traditional Iranian society resisted communist principles. This defeat showed that temporary alliances with foreign powers undermined the popular foundations of the movement. Ultimately, the developments in Gilan showed that "geopolitical realities" outweighed Soviet "revolutionary ideals."

Keywords